Andie Kephart

Mindfulness. Morning Mindfulness meets everyday before school. The meetings are held in the library.

While many students rush to homeroom, a group of students take a different approach to their mornings. They start their day off with Morning Mindfulness to clear their minds and boost their focus before the school day starts. 

Morning Mindfulness began in 2019, led by librarian Tanya Lucas. The students who come to the library listen to guided meditations. Afterwards, they talk briefly about meditation and how to overall start their days off better.

“It consists of two small groups of students who come to the library at 7 a.m. and 7:20 a.m. to start their day off with clarity and calm,” Lucas said.

Over time, the group has grown, and this year marks the first time a second session has been added.

“I started going to Morning Mindfulness because I wanted a calmer way to start my day,” sophomore Vivian Markley said. “It helps me feel more focused and less stressed throughout my school day.”

For Lucas, mindfulness isn’t just about relaxation, it’s about helping students learn how their minds work.

“We are a school,” Lucas said. “We help students learn, yet how often are students given help on how to make their brains work better for them? Mindfulness can help our brains function better. Every morning, we learn something new about how our brains work.”

“It has taught me to be more present throughout the day,” Markley said. “Instead of worrying about everything that is coming up that might stress me out, I’ve learned to focus on what’s happening right now instead of worrying.”

Morning Mindfulness helps students understand the science of their brains and the importance of mindfulness. 

“Mindfulness helps to regulate our nervous system, which can create a healthier, more present human,” Lucas said. “Harvard conducted a study that found humans’ minds wandered 47% of the time. We spend much of our time in the past or the future. Through practicing mindfulness, we are trying to train our brains to know when they are in the past or the future and to choose to be in the present moment more. Just think of what you could do if you could help your brain be present and focused even 10% more of the time. This is why companies such as Google and many sports teams offer mindfulness training for their employees and athletes.”

These meetings aren’t just about going through meditations, they leave impacts on students.

“I have had some students for all four years while they were at the high school,” Lucas said. “It has been amazing to watch these students change.”

“Morning Mindfulness has really changed the way I handle stress and my focus throughout the day,” Markley said. “It helps me start with a clear mind, so then I’m more calm and ready to learn instead of feeling overwhelmed. I’ve also become more patient and positive. Not only with others but also myself. It’s something I know I’ll keep doing throughout high school.”

Morning Mindfulness isn’t just something you can do in the mornings. It has made its way into the classroom. 

“For the past five years, the sophomore health teachers have brought their students to the library to learn about mindfulness,” Lucas said. “The teachers then practice with the students in class to allow students to explore the practice of mindfulness.”

Morning Mindfulness has new kids attending every single day. 

“I have heard about Morning Mindfulness on the morning announcements and also have heard many good things about it,” sophomore Isabella Lohsl said. “I have a couple friends who go to these meetings and tell me how great it is. They say that it really helps them start their day off on the right foot. I’m going to start going once a week to these meetings and try to start my school days off better.”

Whether it’s a few minutes of calm in the morning or a lesson during health class, mindfulness continues to grow throughout the school.